Carefree Truth

Issue #232, April, 2013

 

 

 

David Court, the Executive Director of the Desert Foothills Library (DFL), gave his annual report to the Council.  There has been a steady flow of changes since the Library began 59 years ago, operating out of the trunk of a car.  The current location is a 19,000 square foot building on School House Road, which they've occupied since the mid 1970's and which was expanded several years ago to its present size.  It houses an adult library, a children's library, and a used book store called Chapter 2 Books.  The small staff includes an adults' librarian, and a childrens' librarian who serves very young children through teens.

 

 

 

The annual budget is approximately $640,000, 86% of which is funded through generous community donations, for which Mr. Court expressed his sincere gratitude.  It costs $1800 per day to open the Library doors, and DFL is open 355 days a year.  It is primarily serviced by volunteers, who gave 23,000 hours last year.  The Corky Coburn Volunteer of the Year Award will be presented this year for the first time, named in honor of Corky Coburn, who was a Library volunteer for 50 years before moving from the area last year.

 

 

 

It is collaborating for mutual benefit with many of the other local non-profit organizations.  A grant was given by the State Library to help launch a home visit/delivery program to homebound elderly or ill citizens, and DFL has partnered with the Foothills Caring Corps. in this endeavor.  The Caring Corps. also brings residents to movies that are shown there.  DFL is a collection point for the Foothills Food Bank, and provides a permanent gallery to the Sonoran Arts League.

 

 

 

The library world is changing rapidly.  DFL is embracing this with a digital library that includes 23 computers for public use, powered by Windows 8 software, some of which are specifically dedicated to use by children and teens. 

 

 

 

The Library is more than a place to borrow books and DVDs; it is a community center where people gather for social interaction.  Last year, 748 programs were offered and that number is expected to increase this year.  They recently did a program with the Phoenix Art Museum, and have also hosted programs for the Scottsdale Contemporary Art Museum and the Heard Museum, as well as holding exercise classes.  Movies are screened every Monday.  Their credo is operational excellence, customer service, and technical excellence.  For more information on available programs, visit http://www.dfla.org/.

 

 

 

Mr. Court requested that Carefree consider donating funds to the Library and thanked the Council for giving him the opportunity to make his presentation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hEscHhhTaI

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

Visit our website at www.carefreetruth.com

If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list please contact me, and feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. See what businesses and services Carefree has to offer at http://www.carefree-az-businesses experiencethedifference.com. Please support our merchants. Visit our Carefree Desert Gardens website at http://www.carefree-desert-gardens.com/Carefree_Desert_Gardens/Welcome.html